2001 Beekeeping Institute

June 8-9, 2001

Young Harris College
Young Harris, Georgia

Young Harris College and the University of Georgia are proudly offering the Tenth Annual Beekeeping Institute, June 8-9, 2001. Since its inception in 1992, the Institute has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive beekeeping educational event in the Southeast, offering classes and workshops for beekeepers at all levels of experience.

Many special features are being planned to make the Tenth Beekeeping Institute an extraordinary event. This year's faculty lineup is the largest and most internationally diverse ever. We are proud to be hosting Mr. Michael Young of the University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Chief Judge of the acclaimed British National Honey Show and quite simply the world's premier connoisseur and judge of honey. The honey standards of the British National are legendary, and Mr. Young's presence at the 2001 Institute marks an unprecedented learning opportunity for American beekeepers. We are also pleased to be hosting Georgia native son, Jamie Ellis, who is returning from his studies at Rhodes University, South Africa to present his cutting-edge research on small hive beetles. Also on the roster is Selim Dedej, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Albania, Fulbright Scholar to the University of Georgia, and currently a PhD student in the Department of Entomology, UGA. Rounding out the lineup is Drs. Mike Hood (Clemson University) and John Skinner (University of Tennessee), Steve Forrest, President of Brushy Mountain Bee Supply, as well as the bee research staff of the University of Georgia and other seasoned local instructors - 14 in all.

For 2001 we are continuing the 2-track system inaugurated in earlier years - one track for beginners and another for experienced beekeepers. Facility limitations force us to cap enrollment to 150. A limited enrollment ensures a more comfortable learning environment for everyone, but makes pre-registration mandatory! If you cannot pre-register, please call us first and see if there's space before you make the trip.

The optional practical exam will be divided by tracks, one for beginners and one for more experienced students. Awards will be given to the best entries in the Gadgets & Gizmos Table.

We are making a special promotion of the Institute Honey Show, owing to the presence of our distinguished guest from Britain, Mr. Young, who will serve as Judge. Students will never have a better chance to have their honey receive an authoritative examination and constructive critique. As an added incentive for participation this year we are including cash prizes. See inside for more information.

Many special touches are planned to make the Tenth annual Beekeeping Institute exceptional, including an expanded vendors' area and special prizes. We look forward to seeing you at the 2001 Beekeeping Institute!

FRIDAY, June 8

7:00-9:00 a.m.

Cafeteria open for breakfast

7:00

Registration begins

Morning Lectures

Beginner's Track

Experienced Track

8:00

Welcome & Institute Overview,Robert Brewer

Welcome & Institute Overview, Keith Delaplane

8:15

Basic Equipment, Steve Forrest

Theory of Honey Production, Keith Delaplane

8:45

How to Get Started, Jennifer Berry

Honey Bee Pheromones & Their Use in Beekeeping,Mike Hood

9:15

Honey Bee Biology, John Skinner

Honey: Making the Best Better, Michael Young

9:45

Break

Break

10:15

Spring Management, Ray James

Out of Africa: Research from the Dark Continent,Jamie Ellis

10:45

Processing Honey, P.N. Williams

Pollinators & Pesticides, Jennifer Berry

11:15

Fall & Winter Management, Jamie Ellis

Varroa IPM, Keith Delaplane

11:45

Lunch, Honey Show entries due (cafeteria open 11:15-1:00)

Afternoon Workshops (schedule same both days)

Beginner's Track

Experienced Track

1:00-1:55

Installing Package Bees, Ray James

Basic Beekeeping Equipment,Steve Forrest

Honey Quality Control, Michael Young

Advances in Disease & Mite Control, John Skinner

2:00-2:55

Spring Management, Carl Webb

Bee Diseases & Mites, Jennifer Berry

Break, Optional practical exam available, Selim Dedej

3:00-3:55

Break, Optional practical exam available, Selim Dedej

Small Hive Beetles, Jamie Ellis

Non-infectious Disorders,Mike Hood

4:00-5:00

Fall and Winter Management,Ray James

Honey Processing, P.N. & Evelyn Williams

Working with Nucs, Carl Webb

Pollen Analysis of Honey, Paul Arnold

4:45-6:00

Cafeteria open for dinner

6:30

Ice Cream Social, Awards

7:30

Planetarium Show

SATURDAY, June 9

7:00-9:00 a.m.

Cafeteria open for breakfast

7:00

Registration begins

Morning Lectures

Beginner's Track

Experienced Track

8:00

Welcome & Institute Overview,Robert Brewer

Welcome & Institute Overview, Keith Delaplane

8:15

Honey Bee Mites, John Skinner

Beekeeping in Africa, Jamie Ellis

8:45

Small Hive Beetles, Mike Hood

Beekeeping in Britain, Michael Young

9:15

Honey Bee Diseases, Jennifer Berry

Beekeeping in Albania, Selim Dedej

9:45

Break

Break

10:15

Honey: Making the Best Better,Michael Young

Wax Moth: Friend or Foe? Mike Hood

10:45

Beekeeping in Georgia, P.N. Williams

What About Tracheal Mites? John Skinner

11:15

Pollinators & Pesticides, Jennifer Berry

Report from the UGA Honey Bee Program,Keith Delaplane

11:45

Lunch (cafeteria open 11:15-1:00)

Afternoon Workshops (schedule same both days)

4:45-6:00

Cafeteria open for dinner

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Paul Arnold is Professor of Biology at Young Harris College and co-founder and host of the Beekeeping Institute. A botanist, Paul brings to the Institute a special expertise in honey plants and their pollen.

Jennifer Berry is Apicultural Research Coordinator and Apiary Manager at the University of Georgia. Jennifer's research has been published in American Bee Journal and Journal of Apicultural Research. She is actively involved in all aspects of bee research and education at UGA.

Robert Brewer is Towns County Extension Director with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Robert is a co-founder of the Beekeeping Institute and leader in Extension bee programming in north Georgia.

Selim Dedej is studying blueberry pollination as a PhD student in the Department of Entomology, University of Georgia. Selim is former Associate Professor of Animal Production at the Agricultural University of Tirana, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Albania, and Fulbright Scholar to the University of Georgia.

Dr. Keith Delaplane is Professor of Entomology at the University of Georgia and co-founder of the Beekeeping Institute. A beekeeper of 26 years, Keith's research and extension work is focused on mite control and pollination.

Jamie Ellis, UGA graduate and former research assistant to Dr. Delaplane, is now a PhD student at Rhodes University in South Africa studying small hive beetles in their native region.

Steve Forrest is founder and President of Brushy Mountain Bee Supply, Inc., Moravian Falls, North Carolina - one of the leading bee supply manufacturers in the United States.

Dr. Mike Hood is Associate Professor of Entomology at Clemson University. He is a frequent research cooperator with the UGA bee program and recognized authority on the exotic small hive beetle.

Ray James is a veteran beekeeper from Fairburn and an active member in state and local beekeeping organizations. He is a regular columnist for American Bee Journal.

Dr. John Skinner is Associate Professor of Entomology at the University of Tennessee. John is a recognized expert on pollination and mite IPM.

Carl Webb currently serves as President of the Georgia Beekeepers Association and operates a beekeeping business and internet honey marketing site www.mtnhoney.com in Clarkesville. Carl has kept bees in North Carolina and Wisconsin but returned to Georgia where he specializes in producing sourwood honey. Carl and his wife Virginia are frequent research cooperators with the bee programs at UGA and Clemson.

Michael Young is Lecturer at the Belfast Institute of Further & Higher Education, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. As a beekeeper and professional chef instructor, Michael is uniquely qualified to serve as Chief Judge of the world-renown British National Honey Show. He has served as President of the Ulster Beekeepers Association. In his spare time Michael produces exquisite art in the medium of encaustic beeswax.

GADGETS & GIZMOS TABLE

The Gadgets and Gizmos Table will be set up on Friday and Saturday. If you have invented a gadget or procedure that simplifies your bee operation, bring it along and share with the group. Please display with each item a card with your name, address, phone number, and a brief explanation or photo that describes the item's function. First and second place winners will be recognized at the Awards presentations Friday evening.

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL EXAM

An optional practical exam will be set up during break time both afternoons. There will be one exam for the beginners' track and another for the experienced track. The practical exams feature stations set up in a room, each station displaying a beekeeping question or asking the student to identify something. Answers will be announced and winners selected each day. This is a challenging and fun test of your beekeeping knowledge. Sign up for the exam at the registration desk.

HONEY SHOW

For the Tenth Annual Beekeeping Institute we are strongly encouraging students to participate in the Honey Show and take advantage of the opportunity to have their honey critiqued by our distinguished Judge, Mr. Michael Young. Although educational in nature, this competitive show is designed to encourage excellence in the production and marketing of bee hive products. Cash prizes will be awarded on the following basis: First place winners by class ($50), second place ($40), third place ($30), Best of Show ($100).

GENERAL RULES

Only registered Institute participants may enter.

Institute reserves the right to limit the number of entries on a first-come, first-admitted basis.

All entries must have been produced by the submitter and within the last 12 months.

There are six show classes: extracted honey (light, light amber, amber, or dark), chunk honey, and beeswax (either a single molded piece of two pounds or more, three pair of dipped candles, or three pair of molded candles). Contestant may enter in any or all classes, but may enter only once per class.

Submit extracted and chunk honey in pints, quarts, or standard one-pound jars; either plastic or glass is acceptable.

Beeswax entries must be pure beeswax.

Do not label products in any way; an identifying code sticker will be assigned to your entry at registration.

For honey, submit three items per entry, ie. 3 matching jars of honey

All entries must be submitted by 9:45 a.m. Friday, June 8.

Judging criteria are selected at the discretion of Judge, and decision of Judge is final.

LODGING

Excellent lodging is available at motels in Young Harris, Hiawassee, and Blairsville. Please contact directly one of the numbers listed below to make your reservations.

MEALS are available at the Young Harris College cafeteria for $5.00-7.00 per person, payable at the door; cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It opens Friday morning and closes Saturday evening. Students are also free to patronize local restaurants.